Early in the morning, just put my boots on and started todays speed hike. The feeling with all the snow on the trees, was a feeling of hiking in a cathedral. The compact silence from the snow, and the light from the headlamp reinforced the feeling of being in a vault. So we are almost in mid January, and it feels good, a lot of nice activities ahead. This week I was participant on a training for upgrading to Mountain Leader 2.0 so that is now done:-).

When it comes to cord, have you experience it easily become a mess? You want to have it easily in order and accessible…So here you got a way to handle it:

So from my side I like to have it on the backpack. So if you feel comfortable with that you will have a suggestion her. Start with a end knot of the cord. Place at the backpack strap, and make a loop.

Start at the bottom and go around the strap and over the loop and back. Pull the cord and simply repeat. Make a small loop in the end of the cord and put it into the loop you got at the top.

Now you pull the end knot in the bottom, and ”lock” the cord.

And now you got a cord that is easy to get fast when needed and in order and not as a cord salad… You just pull in the end knot at all of sudden the cord is out and ”free”.

Johnny Trouble feat. Memphis Mae | Summer Wine

See ya soon…

Ever since I was young I have had that Sunday feeling – a feeling of missing, or not have been outdoor enough…I got the same feeling just when the summer vacation going to end. Today it is Sunday, and I got a little of that feeling – but then I remember I got a whole new year in front of me of new outdoor challenges, and with James Clears thought about Atomic habits I have found a real good way ahead.

This years first blog will be about winter tenting, and how to get a good night in the  outdoor during winter. When you arrived to the spot for the night, roll-out and ”fluff” the sleeping bag. During winter a sleeping bag cover can be a good investment. This you can put just over the lower end of the sleeping bag just for protecting it against moister and  condensation. The producers of sleeping bags grade them in three different temperature limits: ” comfort” temperature – the temperature where a woman can sleep relaxed in. Then it is the ”limit” – this is where a man can sleep relaxed in. The third is the ”extreme” temperature – which is the survival temperature. The limits is measured in a tent and with a sleeping mat. My experience is that for winter condition you can take off about 5 degrees. And you – don’t forget to use the collar inside the sleeping bag, it will keep you warm.

The sleeping mat will be the golden key here, this because the sleeping bag will not isolate anything towards the ground cold. Sleeping mat is measured by its R value. You will at least need a sleeping mat with a R value over 4.0 for winter condition. the higher the better of course.

Clothing in the sleeping bag? Well, wool will be the preferred here. Long johns and a long sleeve underlay. Wool socks will also give a nice sleep. For a real cold night you can add clothes, but not so much so you lose the air loft – because then you will loose the warming effect from the sleeping bag (and of course the clothes must be dry).

Another small things to remember while winter tenting will be to 1. dig down the tent, half its height can be a good level. Put it against the wind of course. If you dig the tent down the tent lines will get closer to 90 degrees which will be to strive for.

Lancelot – Faller du, faller jag

See ya soon….

So it is new year again?! Then it is time to conclude the year and to tie the sack. From a bigger picture 2025 has been a year with increased incidents. A average year 3-5 incidents is reported, 2019 was a year that stood out, with 7 incidents reported. This year 2025 there was 18 incident reported. So there is a activity that need to be done, worth to note is so the professional’s where involved…

From a personal perspective there is a lot of interesting learnings. Micro movements related to goals is one of them. And involve your feeling due to etic decision’s when you chose the target. Building strength with 5 basic workout.

The tour at Funäsdalen-Rogen-Sonfjället in one weekend was fantastic. Skiing and snowshoeing at the same time in fabulous areas will be hard to hit…The year started with a tour at Ullådalen which also was a fantastic tour with a end in the slalom slope at Åre, with a lot of laughter for the observers…The tour in Skuleskogen in September was also something to bring to the memory…Garmisch Partenkirchen and the Via Ferrata was a tour that will etched in the memory…

So all together another fantastic year. So to all my friends a real Happy New Year 2026 see you in the mountains…

Barfotabarn

See ya soon…

So today we have reach the 24th of December, and in one way it is time to remember. Remember what happens this year, lots of learnings as usual I swear. Not anything new, but nothing is ever black or white – what I first think its wrong, often can be right.

The middle layer is often a challenge, and of course it always depending to the activity. What – how and where… The first question; synthetic-Wool or Down?  There is no “best for all conditions” — the best is what matches the activity, the weather, and your sweat rate. Down, Incredibly high warmth per weight – lightweight and packable. Loses insulation when it gets wet (sweat, snow, rain) Requires you to protect it from getting wet. Primaloft-Synthetic, Works even when it humid, dries faster than down Maintains insulation during sweat and precipitation. Slightly heavier than down for the same warmth Doesn’t pack as little. Wool, breathable Wicks moisture without feeling cold. Self-cleaning, odor resistant. Does not provide as much insulation per weight as down/synthetics. So use it in this way; mobility and high level of activity (especially in wet, humid conditions. Down, cold dry conditions and wool-all-round preferably together with another insulation layer, and for comfort.

Christmas Must Be Tonight | The Band | OFFICIAL LYRIC VIDEO

See ya at New Year 31/12….

It’s not always the peaks that are the most important – sometimes it’s the places…A couple of thoughts has come up to me lately. Go with the flow is a used expression in life, and it can be related to the outdoor as well. Sometimes we should just stay, when we have found a spot that really feels good. To be honest, I may miss the solo trips, when it was just me and possibly Kenai (my husky). Just following a trail along a stream or up towards a mountain, and then sitting on the edge of the mountain and just enjoying the view – letting your thoughts flow freely…

The storm has stopped, the only thing that remain was the stillness…not a sound. The moon colored the mountain in blue,  the surroundings became distance less. It was as if the world had no depth. It was then that he realized that the silence was not empty. In the light of the headlamp there was nothing, only the snow, white and polished by the wind. The feeling, he could not describe it, but it felt like he was not lonely out here. He thought about the stories he had heard at the bonfires – ”It was nothing I saw, just something that followed…” It was just at that moment he did saw the tracks, not clear. Not like ski tracks. Just depressions in the snow, where no one should have walked. They didn’t lead forward. They didn’t lead backward. They ended where he stood. The next morning there was nothing left. The wind had erased everything. But every time he later walked alone in the winter mountains, in white fog or moonlight, he automatically slowed down. Not out of fear. But out of respect. Because in the mountains in winter there are things that don’t want to be seen. Only felt. And sometimes, when the silence becomes too total, it’s the mountain itself that walks beside you – to see if you know when it’s time to turn around…

And as the old mountaineers says ”“Don’t ever follow the lights in a storm.” Don’t follow those who never came back…

Bryan Adams – Christmas Time (Classic Version)

See ya tomorrow….

To be honest I have done a pre-list for all days in the calendar, but I didn’t save it. So all days has been built ”ad hoc”. So also today, when it will be about small things that makes comfort in the outdoors. So one of the good things to bring will be the insulated seat, easy to bring and very nice to have. Another really good thing will be to have a red reflective paracord for the zipper on the backpack where you store the 1st aid kit. Then everyone and you know where it is. A tent lamp is always cozy and also nice. This one will be used with a candle light, and makes it real comfort in the tent…

have you ever discovered that your headlamp has been switch on in your backpack, and the battery is empty. The solution? Take one of the battery and put it in wrong direction. Now you just need to turn it and you will for sure got light.

Bringing a hammock can be really nice. But here you will get some advice; Be sure the hammock is long enough. Number two lay in a diagonally angle, this will get you in a more comfortable position. Let the head end be lower then the foot end. Use a small pillow for the comfort, you will for sure enjoy that. So now its just to find the ”sweet spot” for the best comfortable position…Small things that will make it more cozy and easy…

Shinedown – Searchlight (Official Video)

See ya tomorrow…

New acquaintances are always nice, and who knows, in this case maybe challenging too…One of the areas in the Swedish mountains who’s often will be forgotten is the part between Jämtland and its in the southwestern part of Lapland, close to the Norwegian border. The journey here starts at Strimasund, You pass the bridges, and then you heading towards the Getrudstjärnarna. From here you follow Sotsbäcken down to Artfjället, from here you got a couple of options. There are no trails or marking, so you must be good in navigation for this area. There are some wind shelter in the area, but bringing a tent is a requirement. But if you get here, you for sure will return is a real wilderness here and not crowded….

Traveling Man

See ya tomorrow…

Today it will be about workout, for an outdoor athlete the exercise must be easy without equipment. But it must also cover the core strength and due to age maintain strength and mobility for preventing injuries. So here you will get 5 five field approved exercise…

First of all the dead hang. This must be a ”active hang” were the the shoulder is activated. Grip just a little broader than shoulder , just hang and lift your self a bit (activate the shoulder) The second one, will be the bear walk. Get on all fours. Now just lift your knees just over the ground. Take a move ahead – left hand and right leg. The third will be the single leg Romanian dead lift. Stand right up, bend your back right down forward and lift one leg (lower to you feel you stretching your hamstring). The fourth will be the Pike push-up. This will build up your shoulder stability, your elbow should move slight forward (not to the side!). To make it more difficulted, get your feet closer to your arms. And the firth one, the hollow body hold, this one is a really core exercise. Lay straight on you back, and press your lower back against the floor. Now lift your shoulders and legs from the ground simultaneous. The arms over your head, and the legs straight. This build your lower back and the core…

And when it comes to the challenge from last weekend – A micro adventures in a wind shelter. So this morning I went out for a outdoor coffee and here is the result.

The Killers – When You Were Young (Lyrics)

See ya tomorrow…

I’m going to the mountain, the phrase might include a long journey or? Sweden is a long country, but the mountain area starts in Dalarna. This meaning you don’t have to go to far, before you can get the smell of mountains in your nose. The Sonfjället national park is situated in Härjedalen not far from Sveg, and quite close to Funäsdalen. The accessibility and the  nature experience is well worth a visit.

Sonfjället is a solitary, wild mountain where ecological depth, wildlife presence, and isolation demand humility, preparation, and sound judgment.

Its a cold morning and the chill bites me in the nose. With snowshoes I am on my way towards Sodo valley in the heart of the Sonfjällets national Park. I just left Nysätern behind and the uphill track is in front of me, after 1000m I have climbed the first 100 height meters. The snow is crisp under the snowshoes in the early morning. The pre mountain forest has been shaped by the harsh weather up here, both pine and birch are low and wind-stricken. If you’re lucky, you might pass the dry fir tree with the carving from 1716, someone wanted to draw attention to the place when a pilgrim died at this place… I trudge along the trail and soon reach the plateau below Gråsidan. That’s when I see something in my left eye. It’s something big moving. I spot a golden eagle, and at the same time I see the reindeer herd. The amazing bird takes off and disappears upwards. A powerful experience, and I continue towards the path cross. Soon I will be down at Sododalens Wind shelter. Here its time to eat and drink for getting power to continue to the peak of Sonfjället – Högfjället. Getting to the top involves a steep and rocky approach, and not infrequently with strong winds as an additional factor. So this time too…Standing at the peak will not be for long, My face is blasted and I even have trouble seeing. I aim for the windshield and soon I start to get closer. After a short break I continued back to Nysätern and a rest at the cabin.

Today it will be about current trends within the outdoor activities. So what are the trends we can see? So in one sentence; outdoor gear is modular, lightweight, sustainable, safety-oriented, and built to maximize experience without unnecessary weight or complexity. There have been some movement from achievement rather towards experience. Meaningful experience instead of ”ticking boxes”. Learning & skill growth is also a trend. Sharing rather than performing. Authentic unfiltered stories, and here we can see more of going from ”look at me” towards ”look with me”. Short adventures and modular trips is also something that will continuing. The expectation of sustainability of the activities can also been seen to increase.

From a guide perspective this will affect the guiding areas as well. Here we can se a direction fo going from ”doing more” to ”doing better”. More demands of sustainability focus and choice of terrain etc. Focus on education rather than instruction, the participants want to learn and got more value out of the activities.  Current outdoor practice prioritizes judgment, humility, and learning over objectives, speed, and spectacle. So as guide you need to understand the movement and adapt towards this.

Note; Just for clarification, this is about trends and not facts…

Janne Schaffer – Norrland (winter)

See ya tomorrow…